Fly Fishing On The Green River In WyomingThe Green River in Wyoming is one of the most overlooked rivers in the Western United States. If it was located anywhere else in the nation, it would probably be fished several times more than it is. It lies in one of the most beautiful sections of the state where the antelope roam the sage brush and people are few and far between. Fly fishing the Green River can be done in complete solitude.

To begin with there are one-hundred and forty miles of freestone stream. In addition to that it has an excellent tailwater. The stream starts from the Green River Lakes just north of Pinedale on the western side of the Wind River Mountain Range. It flows through National Forest land for thirty miles where access is excellent.

The trout average from fourteen to sixteen inches in this section. The water is fast flowing and is often fished from inflatable rafts. It leaves the National Forest and flows through private land for about twelve miles to the next public access.

At Warren Bridge on highway #191 there is more public water, a boat launch but a lot more anglers. From the Warren Bridge to Daniel Junction there are several public access areas. Below Daniel Junction the river flows for seventy more miles into Fontenelle Reservoir. Below Daniel Junction you must float some lengthy stretches to get back out at the few bridge access points.

Below the dam at Fontenelle Reservoir, the river hassome huge trout. Although the numbers are not all that great, the tailwater section has some big ones. Brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout over twenty inches get no ones attention.

The Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge provides an ample amount of public access to the river. Most likely you will be fishing in the presence of more moose than other anglers. The birds and wildlife in the refuge makes fly fishing the Green River even more interesting.

Fly fishing techniques are different depending on whether your fishing the headwaters, middle freestone section or tailwater. They also vary with the seasons and hatches, of course. The river has about every type of water possible for a trout stream, from meadows, to fast pocket water, to long runs and riffles, to flats, to large pools, to the tailwater which varies greatly depending on the discharges from the dam.

Seasons:At some locations you can catch fish anytime of the year.Winter:You can fish the tailwater section, if you can get there. Check season dates.Spring:Good except for the runoff during late May and June.

Fly Fishing Guide to the Green RiverThis river provides a great diversity of water. Success depends on where and how you fish it. The uppermost part of the Green River in the National Forest area can be floated in a rubber raft type boat but there is a lot of white water than can be tough to navigate. I would suggest only doing that with someone experienced at it for the first time. It can also be fished from the bank and by wading the stream. Below the National Forest land, you will have to have permission to fish the river because most all of it is own private property.

At the public access area just North of Warren Bridge on highway #191, you have plenty of water to fish by wading it. There is also a boat launch in case you prefer to drift fish the river. This area can get crowded during the peak fishing times. It is also popular with the Jackson Hole guides. This section is an eight mile drift with a takeout at the Forty Rod Access near the Daniel Fish Hatchery. This area can also be fished by the wading angler.

Below the Daniel Fish Hatchery area, there is seventy miles of river before it reaches the Fontenelle Reservoir. There is little access and almost all of the river flows through private property. Access occurs only at the bridges. If you drift any of this part of the river, you must remember that you have to make it to the next takeout area to get out of the water. You cannot even drop anchor in the stream without violating Wyoming law.

The river is not fishable for the month of June and part of July most years due to the Spring runoff. It is purely a freestone stream subject to Mother Nature.

Guide, continued:The next area to consider fishing is probably the best one - the tailwater below Fontenelle Reservoir. There are some huge rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout in the tailwater section. The water normally stays clear about the entire year except below Slate Creek which enters the river a few miles downstream of the dam.

This area is extremely remote. There are no nearby towns and few facilities within miles. The river is easily accessed in the Seekakadee National Wildlife Refuge. There is also access just below the dam. The river can be floated in a drift boat or fished from the bank or wading in many areas.

There are lots of big, deep pools and long, deep runs in this section of the river. The river is high during the spring runoff period, but it is still plenty fishable. Most of the fishing is done with large streamers and big nymphs. There is some dry fly fishing but by far the best way to catch one of its large trout is below the surface.

The best way to fish the tailwater section is by drift boat. You can cover a lot of water and fish a variety of different places that the fish may be holding. While the river holds some huge trout, the numbers of trout are comparatively low with some streams.

Green River Hatches and Trout FliesOur information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in the Green River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. If you want to fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else. 1-800-594-4726.

The hatch times on the tailwater section vary some from those of the freestone stream. Also you will find the freestone part varies also with the elevation. The higher the elevation, the colder the water and the later the hatches will occur.

The Blue-winged Olive is one of if not the most important aquatic insect to imitate on the Green River. There are hatches starting in March and lasting into May and then another hatch that occurs in the late summer and early fall from about the first of September through October into November in some areas.

PMD's or Pale Morning Duns hatch from the last of June through the month of August. They are one of if not the most important hatches. Trico mayflies hatch in late September until the first week of October.

During the later part of July, the Gray Drakes hatch. This is a good hatch that can last through the month of August.

Little Yellow Stoneflies, or Yellow Sallies, hatch at different times depending on the elevation of the stream. Normally from about the first of July through August you will find them at some point on the river.

Hatches, continued:There are some Golden Stoneflies and even some Salmonflies in the upper headwater section of the river. The Goldens show up around the end of July and the Salmonflies a week or two earlier. This is usually near the end of the spring runoff time.

Caddisflies are very plentiful, especially in the tailwater section. There are hatches of Spotted Sedges from May through August in different part of the river. There are several species of these and the tailwater section usually has one of them hatches just about any time during this period. There are also hatches of Short-horned Sedges that start in June and last about a month.

Green Sedges hatch from about the first of June through August, again depending on the particular section of the river. There are several other caddisflies that hatch on the Green River but those listed above are the largest hatches.

Terrestrial insects start becoming important in July. They will last until the first frost of September or early October. Imitations of beetles, grasshoppers and ants work during this time.

Don't forget about streamers. They are especially important in the tailwater section where there are lots of sculpin and all types of small minnows and baitfish present. The large ones are popular for the large brown trout, especially during the fall spawning season.

If you haven't done so already, we ask you to try our "Perfect Flies". We have specific imitations of everything that hatches on the Green River. We feel certain you will find them very effective. Click Here For Hatch Chart.

Summer:Summer is great after the runoff ends in July.Fall:Fall is a prime time for fly fishing the Green River.

Options For Selecting Flies:1. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.

2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need.

3. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)with a budget for flies and we will select them to match the budget and get them to you in time for your fly fishing trip.

All orders are shipped free in theU. S. Orders over $50 are shipped via Priority Mail.

Headlines: The freestone section of the river is just too cold to fish and expect any real success. Fish the tailwater section and the upper section of it. The water temperature is near 40 degrees there. BWOs are stlll hatching and lots of midges, both creams and reds, or blood midges. Fish the larva and pupa imitations in tandem for the best result. The Brown sculpin streamers are also choice flies. Keep up with the latest information by clicking the above link to the weekly fishing report.

10/13/15 The hot location has been the tailwater the past week. For the most part, flows have been good for both boats and sometimes, wading. Lots of big brown trout have been caught. Streamers are producing well in the tailwater below Fontenelle Dam. It is dependant on releases, but normally stable most of the time. There has been some wading opportunities recently.

10/22/31 The Green is in great shape from the headwaters down through the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. October Caddis are at the peak of their hatch and Blue-winged Olives are already hatching again. The weather is cooler but certainly not cold and few anglers are around to take advantage of the opportunity. Our recommendation would first be the tailwater, but be sure to check the discharges.

10/29/15 Conditions are very good for this time of the year. Stream flows are good and the weather is decent. We didn't receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. October Caddis are still hatching in some upper river sections. Blue-winged olives is the main hatch and best, of course, under cloudy conditions. It will be midge time soon but we are holding off for a few mroe days.

11/02/15 Stream levels are good in the freestone section and the tailwater. Some very big brown trout were caught this past week in the tailwater. Brown Sculpin streamers were the reason. Blue-winged olive hatches are the main insect. The weather is finally getting a little cooler but it is still unseasonably warm.

11/09/15 Stream levels are about normal at the Warren Bridge and below the dam. Of course, the tailwater is subject to change rain or shine. The water temperature is getting colder and hatches reduced to mostly midges and Blue-winged Olives. The hot fly has been the Brown Sculpin and the Matuka Sculpin patterns.

11/16/15 We didn't get any reports form the freestone section this past week. Conditions were fairly good for this time of the season. Blue-winged Olives and midges are the only insects hatching but nymphs should have produced. The tailwater was up and down some but one customer managed a very big, over 22 inch brown, and several medium size ones. He was using the White Belly and Brown sculpin.

12/26/15 We have had some questions on the season in the tailwater below Fontenelle.Green River from the Sweetwater County Road 8 Bridge, 4.5 miles below Fontenelle Dam, downstream to the Big Sandy River in Sweetwater County. The creel limit on trout shall be one (1) per day or in possession. All trout less than twenty (20) inches shall be released to the water immediately. Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.

12/03/15 Right now the discharges below the dam are reasonable and the levels good. You always have to check them out. The USGS gauge at the Warren Bridge is locked up with ice. The water has got cold in the freestone section but the tailwater is still okay. Midges is the only insects you will need to be concerned about imitating. The river is full of sculpin and streamers imitating them will work all winter if presented slowly in the slack water.

12/10/15 The section from the Pinedale bridge to the lake is open but there is a lot of private property and little public. You would need a drift boat to access and take out. The tailwater is open but make sure you know where the most upper point you can fish begins. We added Winter stoneflies to the list because they have started hatching. Midges is still the most important insects to imitate.

12/17/15 The high temperature for any day this coming week isn't above freezing. There is snow forecast every day except one. There us a lot of ice in the freestone section of the river. There is some ice along the banks of the tailwater. It is possible to catch some trout in the tailwater but the section open is a good ways downstream of the dam and the water temperature colder than the bottom discharge.

12/24/15 The USGS gauge at Warren Bridge has ice in it and isn't working. The stream level below Fontenelle Reservoir is just a little above normal. The problem you will have is water temperature. It is cold, in the high thirties below the dam and near freezing in the freestone section. The first section below the dam is closed for the season and you can only fish a good ways downstream where the water is getting colder than the discharge from the lake.

12/31/15 There is a slight chance of snow on Saturday night, but that is it. It is just going to be clear and cold. The discharges from the dam should continue to be low but you have to fish a good ways downstream from the dam and the water is in the mid to high thirties. You can catch trout but it makes it tough.

01/07/16 Quite frankly, the water is just too cold right now in any part of the freestone section, meaning anywhere above the Fontenelle Reservoir. The tailwater is a little warmer but the very upper part of it is off limits at this time. Midges, fishing in tandem with the larva the bottom fly and the pupa fly about 16 inches up the tippet is the best setup right now.

01/14/16 There is snow in the forecast every day for the next week with high temperatures for each day not exceeding freezing for the next seven days. The only place to consider fishing would be the Fontenelle Reservoir tailwater, and the section just below the dam is off limit at this time.

01/28/16 The freestone section of the river has been too cold to fish. The tailwater section is off limits to a good ways below the dam. The lets the water bottom discharge get cold averaging about 37 degrees at the uppermost place it is legal to fish. You could choose a better destination at this time.

02/03/16 The discharges and flow below Fontenelle Reservoir are remaining about the same day to day at 912 cfs. It is the only section of the river that is warm enough to have any opportunity to catch trout and the pickings are slim there because it is off limits a long ways below the dam.

02/11/16 The weather is going to be much better with highs in the forties some days this coming week. It isn't going to be warm enough to melt the slush ice in the freestone section of the river. It is only about 33 to 34 degrees. The only option is the tailwater and since the area below the dam is off limits right now, the water at the first point to fish is only 35 degrees.

02/18/16 Last weeks warmer weather really helped. It got rid of a lot of slush ice in the freestone section. It didn't raise the water temperature enough, but it helped. The tailwater is off limits for some distance below the dam but the section that can be fished improved about 4 degrees in water temperature. It is in the high thirties to about forty.

02/25/16 Discharges from Fontenelle Reservoir remain low and the water mostly clear of ice, but you have to check it out before going. The water below the off limit area in the tailwater is only 36 degrees and that makes it very tough to catch trout. Fish the slack water (not fast current) with red or cream midges.

03/03/16 The freestone section of the Green is high and stained from melting snow in the watershed. It isn't worth fishing and may not clear up this coming week. It is continuing to be warm. The tailwater is the only option worth fishing. Remember, there is an off limit section below the dam. Fish the slow current, not fast water.

03/10/16 The only option feasible right now is the tailwater below the off limit area. It is still very cold water and midges are about the only option other than streamers when there is low light conditions. The upper freestone river water is still in the low to mid thirties, far too cold to fish.

03/17/16 Even though it has been unseasonably warm, the freestone section of the Green River is still very cold, averaging in the mid to high thirties. There is still a lot of slush ice in the upper river. The warm air just tended to melt snow and the runoff kelp the water temperature low.

03/24/16 We are getting tired of writing the same old fishing report, over and over, but the freestone river is still too cold for any decent opportunity. The tailwater is the only option and to catch trout there, you have to fish midges or streamers in the slack water out of the main current such as holes in the bottom and pockets.

03/31/16 The upper river is still far too cold to fish. The water in the lowest end of the freestone stream is in the high thirties. The discharges and stream levels are fine below Fontenelle. As it has been for a couple of months or more, that is about the only logical choice.

04/07/16 The weather is warming up some this coming week, but that just melts snow and keeps the water cold. It is gradually, slowly getting a little warmer. The freestone section is still in the low forties at the highest water temperature. It will be changing soon, but for now, the tailwater is still the best option.

04/14/16 The freestone section is high and dirty. It isn't blown out but near it. The tailwater discharges are fine at this time, but that is most likely going to change. Make sure you check them. There is a chance of snow for the next couple of days, but otherwise, the weather should be good.

04/28/16 The upper freestone section is high and dirty from melting snow. The lower freestone about the same. The tailwater is again the only feasible option. Right now the discharges are low and reports are, some nice browns have been caught on the warm days. The water is often stained and that really just help the streamer fishing.

05/05/16 The river is flowing just above normal and getting warmer. The Mother's Day Caddis, or Little Black Grannom Caddis hatch should start very soon. The water temperature needs to get about fifty degrees and it is in high forties. The water is stained from melting snow and there is rain forecast every day.

05/12/16 There is rain and snow forecast from Saturday through next Wednesday. Currently, the stream levels are down low enough to fish both below the lake in the tailwater and in the freestone stream in the Pinedale area. You will have to watch them closely starting this weekend. The water temperature is still in the high forties.

05/19/16 The river is still in pre-runoff mode, unlike some others in Wyoming. The tailwater is still the best option. Discharges are okay for drift boats. Sculpin streamers are catching some nice trout. Blue-winged olives and little Black caddis are hatching. Check out our weekly updated Green River fly fishing report linked above.

05/26/16 The readings at the Warren Bridge station are much better. The freestone section is falling out fast. The discharges from the Fontenelle Reservoir are very high right now, but will likely change soon.

06/02/16 The discharges from Fontenelle are high. The lake is full and the discharges are expected to go higher this week due to warmer weather. The flows in the freestone section will increase as well and probably go into the full runoff mode.

06/09/16 The Green river watershed is high from the headwaters to the tailwater below Fontenelle reservoir. Right now there isn't any opportunity for fly fishing on the Green, it is runoff time. This is normal at this time of the year and thanks to having a good snow pack that will keep the water in good shape this summer and fall.

06/16/16 The freestone section of the river is still very high and highly stained and the tailwater discharges at Fontenelle are high and the water stained. It is still runoff time. We get calls asking and it is the same answer we have to give but hopefully, it will be dropping soon. The runoff did start early but it is all up to Mother Nature.

06/23/16 The runoff is still affecting the river big time and leaving little opportunity for fly fishing. We don't guide, so we can just tell it like it is. Kidding! The flows at Warren Bridge are at 1690 cfs at 3.65 ft., which is still high. The flows below Fontenelle is at 5440 cfs at 14.20 ft., which is still high.

06/30/16 The upper freestone river has gotten into good shape with good stream levels and mostly clear water. The higher the elevation, the lower the flows. The tailwater below Fontenelle has good discharge levels at this time and can also be fished. There are a lot of hatching insects. Send us an email and we will list them and the flies you need to imitate them for you.

07/07/16 The Green is in good shape from the headwaters to the lowest end of the tailwater that holds trout. Our customers sent in two good reports from the past week. There are many different insects hatching, but it depends on the section as to what is hatching. There are lots of Little Yellow stoneflies, Golden stoneflies, Spotted sedges, Pale Morning duns and more.

07/14/16 We received the most reports this past week on the Green that we have ever gotten, and more importantly, all good. The freestone is a little low in places but easy to wade and with lots of insects hatching. The tailwater has been having low discharges allowing angler some great fishing. It is the best shape it has been in months.

07/21/16 The river is in very good shape for the middle of July. Lots of insects are hatching but they vary from section to section depending on the elevation. The tailwater is fishing good, with low discharges and stream levels. The hatches vary greatly with the section of water, so it is best to send us an email for information on the section you plan on fishing.

07/28/16 The tailwater below Fontenelle is in good shape and we received some good reports from it. The freestone section is very low and getting warm in the lower sections. Fish the uppermost section for the best results. There are still some good hatches in the middle to upper part. Sculpin streamers and PMDs are working good in the tailwater.

08/04/16 The freestone section is very low and too warm to fish. You may try mornings. The headwater are cooler but low as well. The tailwater below the dam is producing some nice trout for our customers. Pale Morning duns and two species of caddis are hatching. Streamers are working good early mornings.

08/11/16 The river is still too warm in the lower freestone section in our opinion. We don't recommend fishing water that is above 68 degrees. The upper sections of the freestone part is in good shape with lots of hatches taking place. The tailwater below Fontenelle Reservoir is in good shape. We have received some good reports from it lately.

08/18/16 The stream levels in the freestone section are all low. The good news is the water temperature has dropped some and with the weather turning cooler, that shouldn't be a problem. The tailwater discharges are low and fishing should be good in all sections of the river. The upper headwaters have the most hatches and it the best option at this time.

08/25/16 The freestone section of the river is very low. It makes wading easy about anywhere you fish but it is also easy to spook the trout. Use long, light leaders and tippets. Fish during low light conditions, cloudy skies or early and late in the day. The discharges in the tailwater have been normal for the summertime. We received some good reports from the tailwater.

09/01/16 The stream levels are are still very low. You have to stay hidden from the trout and use longer, lighter leaders and tippets. The weather is a little cooler and that is going to help. The tailwater is in good shape, with low discharges most of the time making it easy to wade. Caddisflies represent the majority of the hatches. Tricos are hatching in the slower sections of water.

09/08/16 The freestone section is low but can still be fished with the cooler weather. You do need to stay low and hidden from the trout and use longer, lighter leaders. There's a variety of insects hatch but they vary with the elevation. There are lots of caddisflies. Our customers have been catching nice trout on Sculpin streamers in the early mornings. Fishing the late afternoon caddisfly egg laying activity is also productive.

09/15/16 If you like fishing low water, you will have plenty to choose from this coming week. The freestone section of the Green is low. It can be fished, thanks to cooler weather, but you will have to stay hidden from the trout and use longer, lighter leaders and tippet. The tailwater is a good option and the discharges and flows are likely to be just fine, but make sure you check them. There are still a lot of hatches taking place.

09/22/16 In spite of the low water levels, we had some good reports from customers fishing the upper headwaters and many little tributaries entering the river near their mouth. The entire freestone section is below normal and a little to low to suit many anglers but fished correctly, you can still catch plenty of trout. The cooler weather has the trout much more active. The tailwater is in good shape with good discharge levels most of the time.

09/29/16 The Green river is one of the very best destinations you could select right now. The water levels are running about normal in all sections from the headwaters to the tailwater. Our customers are catching lots of trout. October caddis are thick in some sections. Blue-winged olives and Mahogany duns are hatching most places. It doesn't get much better than this at this time of the year.

10/06/16 We complained a long time late summer about low water levels, and you guessed it, the freestone section is up too high to wade and tough to fish from a drift boat. The tailwater below Fontenelle Reservoir is in good shape right now, but they may have to increase the flows to keep the lake level down. As always, you have to check on the discharge schedule. Fishing has been great in the tailwater.

10/13/16 The freestone section of the river is still in good shape but just a little above normal flows in most sections. The river is dropping and wading possible in some places and trough in others. There are some very good Blue-winged olives hatches and still some Mahogany duns and October Caddis. The tailwater is in great shape and we are getting some good reports from customers fishing it.

10/20/16 The upper sections of the river are still running a little high. Some sections can be waded if you are careful, but many can't. The tailwater below Fontenelle Reservoir is in good shape with low discharges and good stream levels. Blue-winged olives are hatching throughout the system. There is a chance of rain from next Monday through Wednesday, otherwise clear.

10/27/16 The upper river is flowing high and although some sections can be fished by drift boat, wading is out of the question until the levels fall back down. The tailwater is the best option but you will have to check the discharge schedule. There are lots of Blue-winged olives hatching. Western Ginger Quills are hatching.

11/10/16 The freestone section of the Green in still high, too high to safely wade, but falling. It can be fished by drift boats in some sections but they are high and fast flowing. The tailwater section is providing some opportunity but it all depends on the discharges. Otherwise, the river is in good shape with some good Blue-winged olive and Cream midge hatches.

11/17/16 The stream levels are still high in the freestone section. You can fish from drift boats but wading is out in most sections. The tailwater varies but the discharges have been relatively low at time, allowing some good opportunity. We received two good reports this past week of some large browns caught on the Sculpin streamers. The weather will be colder this coming week.

11/24/16 There isn't many changes from the past week on Turkey day. The tailwater below Fontenelle is still the best option but you have to keep an eye on the releases and levels. The upper freestone section remains to high to safely wade in most places but okay for drift boat. Streamers like the Brown sculpin are working goode. Midges, creams and reds and small BWOs are hatching.

12/01/16 The stream levels are finally down to a normal level in the freestone section of the river. The water is very cold, averaging in the high thirties up to about 40 degrees. The preferred section to fish is the Fontenelle tailwater. The water is a little warmer there, in the low to mid forties. Midges, winter stoneflies and little Blue-winged olives are hatching.